With TSA security lines pushing 1 to 2 hours at some airports, due to airport and TSA dysfunction, many are turning to alternative options.
- TSA PreCheck simplifies the security check and at most airports, has shorter lines than the regular TSA security. You pay a fee for a 5-year pre-check qualification.
- Global Entry (which includes PreCheck) adds accelerated Customs and Border Protection processing for inbound travel to the U.S., for slightly more than the cost of PreCheck.
- CLEAR is a $189 per year per person for a privately run pre-security check that let’s you cut in line.
- Some airports offer advance reservations for TSA security.
- “Elite travelers” including Business and First Class passengers, and those with airline “elite status” (based on miles/flights traveled each year) may bypass the long lines at many airports.
- And at Atlanta, there will be an exclusive, private terminal for the very wealthy. There is already a private terminal at LAX and more are coming to other airports. You’ll do your check in here, then be chauffeured to the plane. You’ll pay near $5,000 per year for a “membership” plus high fees each time you use the private terminal.
Read online reviews of the airports you will be using, consider reviewing online maps of the airport to understand their layout and security options, install the MyTSA or other apps on a smart phone which can give you estimated wait times for security, install the airport’s own apps (some airports have their own apps now) and review security and airport information in advance. Avoid all travel, if you can, during the airport’s known security failure times – for example, avoid traveling through SeaTac Airport between 7 am and 11 am, weekdays. During those hours, SeaTac is in meltdown mode. And definitely avoid SEA on Monday mornings.
Air travel is evolving, possibly by design, to be mostly for the wealthy as new tourist fees are added by destinations, new carbon emission fees are added, hassles increase – but the wealthy can buy their way past security lines.
The very long security lines make air travel difficult for those with disabilities, the elderly and others will less visible disabilities (like brain injuries). In some ways, air travel becomes for the young, the fit and the wealthy. This doesn’t seem right but it appears to be what is happening.